Strong ties

Yesterday I spent a little time talking on the phone with a childhood friend. Ok, more than a little time. Several hours. We don’t speak often. When we do it usually goes a long time. One of the things that came up was what I was like when we were all of eight years old. He called me a showoff and recalled a moment where I did something that he thought was extremely risky from a physical standpoint.

I remember that moment very well. In Central Park New York there’s playgrounds for kids and we practically lived in them. Our favorite was one we called “sand park”. In it they had these single rope swings and the older kids would climb this tower that wasn’t meant to be swung from and jump off. Well, I climbed that tower and did it too. I never did it to show off. My thought process on anything that most people seem to call risky is: can I do this or can I make this work?

The interesting thing is that I’ve had a lot of people as of late telling me how they think I take these huge risks. Looking back on situations that garner that response, I never actually ever thought of them as risks. Maybe I’m wired weird in the head. Scratch that, I have to be wired weird in the head, I’m a musician.

What goes along with that is the how I inspire people. I’ve probably mentioned this on Single of the Day before. People call me inspiring for lots of different things. I’m usually amazed by this because I don’t wake up in the morning thinking “what can I do today to inspire someone?” I like to go do my thing and do it as best I can. That’s all.

Simple right?

With Eric Johnson complicated things tend to sound simple. He’s one of the great tone hounds in guitar playing. The kind of guitar player that lots of other guitarists look up to. Eric is also one of those musicians who has a very distinctive way of playing that screams Eric Johnson.

There are also stories of how Eric can apparently tell the difference of what batteries are in his gear. Meaning he can tell the difference between a Duracell and an Eveready in his effects pedals. I have to think that it’s bullshit story. I mean seriously, can someone really hear a difference in the source of a battery?!? I know I have good ears, but I really haven’t spent time obsessing over a battery due to tone. I know the wood, the wire, the pick, the pickups, the way a string is wound on the machine head, and other things can contribute to the tone in a very direct way. However, I’m not as sure about the source of an electric current from a battery can make that much of a difference that I’d be able to hear it. Props to Eric if it’s true.

Regardless. I’d like you to enjoy the smooth styling Eric has on this tune where he is actually singing. I suggest you spend a little time exploring this CD and others he has done. Lots of gems abound.